ALL-IRELAND SFC SEMI-FINAL:BOTH MEATH and Kerry have received serious boosts to their panels ahead of Sunday's AllIreland football semi-final.
Concerns about the availability of Kerry defender Aidan O’Mahony have been allayed after the 26-year-old Garda took a full part in training on Monday night. The two-time All Star was thought to be suffering from appendicitis after complaining of abdominal pains over the weekend, but Kerry selector Ger O’Keeffe confirmed his availability.
“It was an abdominal problem,” said O’Keeffe, “but really it was a false alarm – these things tend to take on a life of their own at this stage of the year. He took a full part in training and is available.”
O’Mahony is unlikely to make Jack O’Connor’s starting XV, however, after losing his place during the qualifier campaign after defeat to Cork in the Munster semi-final replay earlier this summer.
Kerry will announce a team tomorrow night with Kieran Donaghy unlikely to recover from a metatarsal fracture. He may continue the highly visible motivational role he adopted as water-carrier against Dublin.
“Although,” added O’Keeffe, “if he is Maor Uisce the rules may prohibit him from togging out (as a sub).”
Donaghy is currently training in runners, but will be given until Sunday morning before a final decision is made on his availability.
The other major call O’Connor must make is whether ‘Young Footballer of the Year’ Tommy Walsh or Tadhg Kennelly start in the full forward line. The former Sydney Swan made a noticeable impact when replacing Walsh in the quarter-final rout of Dublin.
Meath manager Eamonn O’Brien has improved his options by including International Rules goalkeeper David Gallagher and Shane O’Rourke in the panel.
A team will be selected late tomorrow night, but Paddy O’Rourke is expected to be retained in goal.
His cousin Shane O’Rourke – son of former player and current television pundit and columnist Colm – was an excellent underage talent and is a viable option from the bench after recovering from a long-standing back problem. Due to a succession of injuries, he has not featured for Meath since 2007.
Their only absentee is full back Kevin Reilly, who requires surgery on his back injury.
Finally, Down minor Patrick Boyle has been ruled out of Sunday’s semi-final against Mayo having suffered a suspected broken jaw.
Boyle, who lined out at left half back against Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final, was reportedly attacked in Castlewellan.
Laois footballer Craig Rogers is also set to be sidelined for up to two months after sustaining a suspected broken jaw and a broken nose while in action for Portlaoise in the Laois senior football championship.
The former All-Ireland minor winning captain scored two points in the second half, but was sidelined soon after with Arles/Killeen reduced to 13 men following sending offs for Arnie Mahon and Brendan O’Shea.
The loss of Rogers isn’t the only blow this season to Portlaoise – who won the tie 2-14 to 2-7 – with an injury to key player, Sean Cotter, and the exit of Zach Tuohy and Colm Parkinson.
CORK (IHC v Kilkenny): A Nash; B Coleman, D Sweeney, B Murphy; J Carey, R Cashman, J Jordan; E Dillon, L Desmond; R Dwyer, M O'Sullivan, L McLochlan; M O'Sullivan,L Farrell, S Moylan.
